asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce in view of the serious disruption caused to our export trade arising out of the recent British seamen's strike, if he is pursuing any course of action at EC level which would ensure that trade links between the member states would not be affected by a dispute in another member state; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - British Seamen's Strike.
7.
The problems which arose for our export trade from the British seamen's strike will be brought to the attention of the European Commission with a view to ascertaining what, if any, action it might take or what assistance it might offer in a future similar situation.
The Deputy will accept that, in the emotive atmosphere which such strikes may evoke, it is not easy to see what useful action the Commission, or any individual Government for that matter, can take when workers decide to withdraw their labour. The action which a particular Government can take is extremely limited when a strike occurs outside their jurisdiction. While Governments or other entities may offer to mediate, there is the constant danger that insensitive interference by those not a party to a dispute may turn out to be counter-productive.
I am satisfied that the best way to limit the damage to our export trade caused by strikes outside our jurisdiction is to seek to ensure, on all routes affecting us, a range of competing shipping services. This is particularly desirable between Ireland and the UK in view of the importance of our exchanges in trade, commerce and tourism with that country. That is the objective of the Government's plan for the B & I company which aims to enhance its competitiveness and is supported by a guarantee, from the unions concerned, of industrial peace until the end of 1990.
Does the Minister not agree that, because of our location and the importance of sea transport to us, he should be putting forward some plan within a European context on the basis of having 24 hour access and knowledge of availability of freight shipping in the event of strikes freezing up all the operating shipping lines out of our ports? The Minister is probably aware that during the last strike when the CII tried to get a ship at short notice they had problems. There should be some effort made by the Minister's Department to ensure that we have first hand information on the availability of ships. Would it not be possible to do this within the European context?
The question of what action would be taken during the recent strike was decided under the chairmanship of the Minister for Transport and Tourism and the Minister with responsibility for trade and marketing was also involved in those discussions. If you try to charter a vehicle you can create a bigger problem than you have at that time. These are very sensitive issues and it is not easy to generalise on them. In the light of the experience gained, the Minister for Tourism and Transport and the other Departments involved are examining possible backup services in the event of a similar situation arising.
Would the Minister agree that the imminence of a Channel Tunnel means that the island of Ireland will be the only part of the European Community with no land access to the rest of Europe and that in view of that and the commitment to a Europe without frontiers the Community should be involved in some form of contingency plan to deal with the type of situation that arose during the seamen's strike? Could the Minister indicate if he has proposed such a contingency plan in the communication he is making to the Commission?
It is certainly true that Ireland will be the only part of Europe that will not have access to the mainland. There are many proposals for tunnel projects, not alone the Channel tunnel but on the islands of Denmark and Greece and elsewhere. This is being discussed at the meetings, chaired by the Taoiseach, with individual Ministers and Secretaries of Departments on the total development of infrastructure in the years ahead with a view to applying for structural funds from the Community in the future.
I accept that the question deals with a transport area but it has major implications for industry. Would the Minister not agree that he should be putting forward proposals at the interdepartmental meetings he referred to that there should be specific plans for what the Government can do and specific objectives for the European Community? Would the Minister not agree that this should be happening now, as 1992 is so close?
I can assure the Deputy that our concern always is to see that exporters can get their goods out of this country. We are constantly monitoring the situation to ensure that this country, being an island, is not left without means of access to Europe. That will continue to be our position.
Did I understand the Minister to say that access transport to Europe is the subject of discussion at meetings of the committee chaired by the Taoiseach and this includes a tunnel and a rail link ferry between here and Britain? Am I correct that the Minister said that?
What?
That a Channel tunnel and a rail ferry link are being discussed by the committee chaired by the Taoiseach?
From Ireland to England? No, I did not say that. I said that Ireland is the only part of the European Community that will be left without direct access to the Community. Tunnel projects are appearing in various parts of Europe, connecting the islands of Denmark and connecting the islands of Greece. We will be seeking structural funds but it is a matter for the Government to decide how we can best ensure that Ireland has the best access infrastructure in 1992 and beyond. I did not say we were thinking of building a tunnel between Ireland and the UK.
Why is the Minister laughing? How impossible is the project? Indeed the project is possible.
I did not say it was impossible.
The matter should be discussed at the meetings to which the Minister referred.
Every possibility of bettering access transport to mainland Europe will be discussed and will continue to be discussed.
Does that include the tunnel?
(Interruptions.)
It is being discussed and it is not being discussed.
The Deputy should not try to confuse himself. If he is confused I cannot help him.
Is it being discussed or is it not being discussed?